Coupled light dissolver for motion-picture machines



May 29, 1923. 1,456,544,

R. N. FLEMING COUPLED LIGHT DISSOLVER FOR'MOTION PICTURE MACHINES FiledNov. 10 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T" I H' In RI 1 I m i l t 1;; "l"...

"Hw/l REEIN-F-LETTL'LTLE May 29, 1.923. 1,456,544

' R. N. FLEMING COUPLED LIGHT DISSOLVER FOR MOTION PICTURE MACHINESFiled Nov. 10 1921' 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwum ioz RE N P15111312 attozweqlPatented May 29, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COUPLED LIGHT DISSOLVER FOR MOTION-PICTURE MACHINES.

Application filed November 10, 1921. Serial No. 514,380.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ROGER N. FLEMING, a citizen of the United States,residin at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and tate of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Coupled Light Dissolversfor Motion-Picture Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to motion picture apparatus and the primaryobject of the invention is the provision of a novel means for permittingthe simultaneous actuation of the light cutoff members of motion picturemachines, when two motion picture machines are used in connection withone another for permitting the continuous projection of a picturewithout the stopping of a picture to change reels and the like.

In modern motion picture projection two moving picture machines are usedso as to eliminate stops between reels and thus give continuousproduction by cutting off the projection of one machine at the end of areel of film and starting the projection of the next reel or film at themoment the first reel is through so that this operation is unnoiced tothe audience. This actuation must be done with great accuracy as doubleprojection or a partially dark screen will result. Heretobeforeindependently manually operable light darkeners or dissolvers have beenused on each machine independent of the other. This has resulted in ablur-or not a clear projection between the starting and stopping of themachines. 7

It is therefore a prime object of the invention to provide a simple anddurable means for operably connecting light dissolvers or dousers of themachines together, so that when one douser or light dissolver isactuated to cut off the projection of one machine, the other lightdissolver will be lifted so as to permit the projection of the othermachine.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a light tripcarried by each one of the light dissolvers for eliminating thearc-crater-spot from going through the aperture located in rear of thefire shutter and thus eliminate the showing of the arc crater of themachine which is not being used while the other machine is being used.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a pivoted triplever carried by each. one of these dissolvers for permitting thecentering of the arc-crater-spot. on to the fire shutter before startinga projection with the machine which is not being used without thenecessity of actuating the dissolver.

With these andv other objects in .view, the invention consists in thenovel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will behereinafter more specifically described, claimed and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in whichdrawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of a pair of motion picture projectingmachines showing the novel light dissolvers and the novel means forconnecting the dissolvers together for synchronous movement.

Figure 2 is a front elevation partly in section-of the frame for thelight dissolver Figure 3 is a side elevation of the frame showing thesame in position on the forward portion of a motion picture machine.

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the light dissolver and the light tripcarried thereby, showing this tripin its actuated position forpermitting the centering of the arc-craters ot.

Figure 5 is a detail section through the dissolver taken on the line 55of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the light trips.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar referencecharacters designate corresponding parts throu bout the several views,the letters A and indicate a pair of motion picture machines; C and Dthe novel light dissolvers therefor; and E, the

means for operatively connecting the dissolvers C and D of the machinesA and B together for synchronous operation.

The light dissolvers C and D are constructed identically the same andtherefore a description of one will be sufiicient for both. It can beseen that there is a frame for each dissolver and that this frame isconnected directly with the motion picture projecting machine.

Each frame is designated by the reference character F and consists of anannular plate 10 for the reception of the light hood 11 of the pictureprojecting machine. This ring 10 is provided with a pair of outwardlyextending angularly related arms 12 and 13. The arm 13 is disposed in ahorizontal plane and is adapted to pivotally support the light dissolverplate .14 which is nor- 'hood 11 of the projecting machine. annularmally held in a lowered position by its own weight. The arm 12 has itsupper end provided with an inwardly extending flange 15 and this flangesupports a depending guide rod 16 for the dissolver plate 14. The

lower end of the guide rod 15 is secured wise secured as at 21 to theforward end of the light hood 11 of the picture pro ecting machine. Thelight dissolver plate 14 con- "sists of a disc shaped body 22 and aradially extending arm 23, the outer end of which receives the pivot pin24' that pivotally .connects the dissolver plate to the arm 13. Theriphery of the disc portion 22 of the disso ver plate 14 is providedwith the lug 19, which is adapted to engage the stop 18. The axialcenter of the shaped body plate 22 of the dissolver plate 14 is providedwith an opening 24 of relatively small diameter which forms means forcentering the arc crater of the machine in reference to the motionpicture screen. This opening is normally closed by a light trip G whichwill now be described.

This light trip G includes a pair of angularly related arms 25 and 26and the forward end of the arm 26 has formed thereon the relativelysmall plate 27, which is adapted to normally cover the opening 24. Thelight trip Gr is in the nature'of a bell crank and is pivotally mountedadjacent to its angle upon a ivot'pin 28 which iscarried by the disc yportion 22 of the dissolver p ate 14. The arm 25 of the light trip hasformed thereon a suitable outwardly extending finger piece 29 as clearlyshown in Figures 4 and 6 of the drawings and this finger piece permitsthe light trip to be readily rocked on the pivot pin 28 in order tomovethe plate 27 from out of the path of the opening 24 when it is desiredto center the arc crater.

The means E for operatively connecting the light dissolvers C and Dtogether of the machines A and B consists of a cable 30, which istrained about suitable guide pulleys 31 which may be supported in anypreferred manner, such as by the ceiling of a projecting roof. Theterminals of the cable 30 are connected respectively to suitable eyes 32formed on the u per ends of the arms 25 of the light'trips of thedissolvers C and D. In the use of the improved light dissolverswhen itis desired to cut oi the projec tion of on machine and perrriit'theprojection of the other machine, it is merely necesa sary to pull downon the dissolver plate 14 ot the dissolver mechanism of the, machine onwhich the projection is desired to be stopped. This will move the plate14 overthe light hood of one machine and lift the plate 14 away from thelight hood of the other machine. This is permitted owing to, the-meansof connectin the light dissolver plates 14 together. T us, as shown inFigure 1 of the drawings, the machine A. is in operation and when theend of the film is reache d,.it is merely necessary to lower. the plate.14 of mechanism C to automatically andsynchronouslv raise the plate 14.of the mechamsm It is to be understood, however, that the lightdissolver plates 14 may be operated from either machine, and thus ifthe'.operator were standing near the machine B and desired to start theprojection. of themachine B, it would merely be necessary for him tolift up the late-.14 of the light.dissolver mechanism and the. latel4 ofthe mechanism C will automatica y lower itself by its own weight. Nowwhen the plates 14 swing into their lower operative position, theportions 27 of the light trips G are. automatlcally moved by gravityover the openings 24. This is 0 early. shown inFigurel of the drawings.

Now when it is desired to center are crater of the machineforzthe'projection of' a machine, it is merely necessary ,topress downupon the fingerpiece 29 which vwill rock the light trip on its pivot 28and move the late 27 from out of the path of the opemn 24. This willpermit a relatively small volume of light toescapethrough'the opening24, which will besufiicient; to permit the ready centering of.the.-arc-.crater. This is of course accomplished; by suitable manipulation of the.are lamp; adjusting screws. 7 a

It is to B may also .be provided with the ,usual douser or dissolverplates"H. 1

From the foregoing descriptionyjiti-ican' be seen that a simple andeffective means has been provided for simultaneously and synchronouslycutting ofl? the projection of one machine and starting the ,proiectionof another machine. v n Y Changes in details may be madewithoutdeparting from thespirit. orsoope ofv this invention; but,

I claim;

1. The ombination with a pair ofispacedf moving picture projectmgmachines, of a light dissolver attachment therefore lforper-- mittlngthe simultaneons. cntting'ofi 'of one machine and the simultaneousprojection of the other machine and consisting of a frame 7) secured toeach one of 'thdmachiiies', 'a disbe noted that and solver plate securedto each frame for movement toward and away from the path of theprojection means and having a relatively small opening therein, lighttrip levers pivotally secured to each plate, for normally closing saidopenings and a flexible cable connected to saidlight trip levers.

2. In a light dissolver for motion picture machines, the combination ofa pivoted light dissolver plate having an axial opening therein, and apivoted trip plate arranged to normally close said opening.

In a light dissolver for motion picture machines, a pivoted lightdissolver plate for movement into and out of the path of th projectorlight rays, said plate having an axial opening formed therein, a pivotedlight trip secured to the plate, means formed on the light trip fornormally overlying the opening, and a finger piece formed on the lighttrip for permitting the movement of said plate from out of the path ofsaid opening.

4. The combination with a pivoted light dissolver plate having an axialopenlng therein, of a light trip for the dissolver plate including apair of angularly related arms, means pivotally securing the light tripadjacent to its angle to the light dissolver plate, a foot formed on thelower arm of said light trip for normally overlying the opening in thelight dissolver plate, and means for permitting the actuation of saidlight trip.

5. The combination with a motion picture machine, of a light dissolverplate therefor having an opening therein, and means carried by saidplate for movement over and away from said opening whereby the centeringof the arc crater can be accomplished without the operation of saidplate.

ROGER N. FLEMING.

